Ichthyofauna species diversity of Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India Case study: Jakhau and Mandvi coast

Abstract

A checklist of marine fishes from the coastal areas of Jakhau and Mandvi, Gulf of Kachchh, west coast of Gujarat, India, was compiled through the fish collection from December 2013 to March 2015. On examination, a total of 20 orders, 47 families and 96 species were recorded. Of these four species were recorded from class Elasmobranchii and 92 species from class Actinopterygii. The Family Carangidae showed species dominance with 10 individuals, while the order Eupercaria is dominated with 18 numbers of species. The checklist contains 10 Not evaluated species, 6 Data deficient species, 68 Least concern species, 5 near-threatened species, 4 Vulnerable, 2 Endangered, and 1 Critically endangered species as per IUCN red list records. Of the total 96 species, the Jakhau sampling site reported 74 species; Mandvi sampling site reported 77 species, while 54 species were reported common from both the sites. Deveximentum indicium (Monkolprasit, 1973) was reported for the first time from Jakhau sampling station of Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. Further research is needed for better understanding and conservation of such species. The detailed study of fish habitats in the Kachchh Gulf will provide an insight into diversity and exposures to habitat destruction.